Pruning Exochorda x
macrantha - The Bride. How
and when to prune.

The pure white flowers of this
shrub give rise to the name - The Bride - or the Pearl Bush. (The
opening flower buds resemble groups of pearls.

Exochorda x macrantha The Bride, is an early summer flowering shrub that
needs pruning at the correct time. How and when to prune it is detailed
below.

Take note of our information and advice on how to prune the Exochorda
and avoid the disappointment sometimes experienced with this plant.

Exochorda THE BRIDE should not be confused with The Bridal Wreath Shrub
- which is Spiraea arguta! (One of the problems with confusion amongst
common names of plants!)

Exochorda x macrantha The Bride, is a spring or early
summer flowering shrub, with arching branches of purest white flowers.

When to prune Exochorda x macrantha The Bride.

Also known as The bride, or The Pearl Bush Exochorda x macrantha The
Bride.

The secret of this shrub, is that you carry out the
pruning at the right time - right after flowering. If you prune it too late
it will not have time to make its flowering stems for the next year. If
you prune it in the spring or at any time before its summer flowering
period, you will simply be cutting off its flower buds, and it will not
make any flower growths that will flower the same year. Remember,
flowers grow on the stems made the previous year!

It flowers on stems which are made in the mid to late
summer. It will not flower on new stems if you prune it early in the
spring.

For success, you will need to prune The Bride
immediately after it has finished flowering, and certainly before the
summer sets in. This prompt pruning action will enable the shrub to grow
long arching stems throughout the summer growing season which will then
provide huge trusses of white flowers the following spring.

How to Prune Exochorda The Bride.

Prune the finished flowering stems back to half their
length to build up a fantastic network of arching stems. Do this pruning
right after flowering like outlined, and don't be afraid of pruning
right back into the shrub. Every branch that has borne flowers should be
pruned this way.

Together with this, prune out around one third of the
older stems/branches - right down to within a few cm (ins) form the
ground. New shoots will sprout forth after this basal pruning, and form
a framework of healthy new branches for flowering in later years. Prune
further old stems out in each year.

After a few years of this basal pruning - in
conjunction with the pruning as outlined above, you will end up with
a vigorous shrub - full of new growth, just waiting to smother itself
with masses of white flowers. Don't forget when to prune. Do it right
after flowering.